Distillery

There are plenty of places in town where you can order a seasonally-inspired drink, but where do you head when you want to go straight to the source? Happy Valley has some fantastic wineries, breweries and distilleries. Stop by any of the favorites on our list for a seasonal variety, or the perfect holiday gift.

Summertime means it’s time to kick back and let yourself relax a little with a drink or two. And if you’re in Happy Valley this summer, you’re in the right place for it. We’ve got all the craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, and even cideries you could need. Each one is fantastic and offers its own unique perks, so you can’t go wrong with any of these fresh, local options.

You probably stopped at one of our local wineries, breweries or cideries on your way to a tailgate last season, but this is a brand new year. Check out our ever-expanding list of breweries, wineries and distilleries where you can enjoy locally sourced, expertly crafted drinks.

The next time you’re here, forego the state store or beer distributor and make a stop at one of these local spots for a drink instead. You’ll be really glad you did!

WINES

Happy Valley’s Best Beers, Wines and Spirits

Here in the land of Central Pennsylvania, we take our alcohol seriously. Our always-expanding list of breweries, wineries and distilleries more than proves that point. But most importantly, the drinks being produced here are no cheap knockoffs. These locally sourced, expertly crafted beers, wines and spirits rival any national brand and then some.

So when you’re in Happy Valley, forego the state store or beer distributor and make a stop at one of these local spots for a drink instead. You’ll be really glad you did.

As spring slowly but surely arrives in State College, it’s time to start planning your warm weather adventures, and these brand new wine and brew tour packages from Happy Valley Hotels are the perfect place to start.

What sets the new tours apart from others is that they’re all at your own pace—allowing you to taste Happy Valley’s best locally-crafted beers, spirits and wines on whatever schedule you choose, along with gift cards galore and an overnight stay.

It is no secret that whether you are a cash-strapped Penn State student or an alum looking to relive your college days, you can always find $2 PBR cans at the Phyrst or a $5 Monkey Boy at The Saloon or the legendary "Case of Rocks" at the Rathskeller. But with a growing emphasis on craft beers and classic cocktails throughout Happy Valley, downtown State College has become more than just your typical shot and cheap beer college town.

At any establishment in Happy Valley, you’re just as likely to strike up a conversation with a 1972 Penn State grad as you are a 2004 graduate. And while there are a number of commonalities between all Penn State alums, there are usually significant differences in the popular drinks at the time of graduation.

On August 2, Barrel 21 reopened after a two week hiatus and came back with a new menu and new chef. Already fairly new on the scene (Barrel 21, located just in front of Otto's Pub and Brewery, originally opened just over a year ago), the restaurant is changing a few things to make their dining experience shine and their drinking experience as amazing as dining at a distillery can be. So what's different and why do you need to add this to your Happy Valley bucket list this fall?

A lot has happened in Happy Valley in the past 15 years. For me, a transplant who relocated here in 2002, I’ve seen a blossoming of our local food movement—markets, food, beer, wine and more recently, spirits. Now that someone’s put it all on a map, there’s one more reason Happy Valley’s become a destination for more than weekend football.